Mogadishu, October 25, 2025
The Baxnaano (The Shock Responsive Safety Net) program is Somalia’s government-led system using digital cash transfers, primarily funded by the World Bank (through the IDA) and other major partners. Meant to be a modern leap forward in transparency, it is the backbone of our national social protection.
Yet, the very structure of power in Somalia exposes this program to immense risk, regardless of its digital design.
Specific Irregularities of Elite Capture
The primary irregularities in social assistance programs like Baxnaano stem from the political and clan-based struggle for control over resources at the regional level, often referred to as Elite Capture:
| Irregularity | How it Works in Practice |
| FMS/Elite Capture | Federal Member State (FMS) governors, powerful local politicians, or their relatives exert pressure to manipulate beneficiary lists, ensuring the inclusion of their supporters or sub-clan members who are not poor, thereby diverting funds. |
| Clan and Nepotistic Exclusion | Program staff or local committees, influenced by clan loyalty or nepotism, deliberately exclude minority or marginalized groups who lack political representation, even if they meet the poverty criteria. |
| The “Gatekeeper Tax” | In IDP sites, private land owners or local “gatekeepers” demand an immediate kickback or “tax” (a portion of the cash transfer) from the recipient simply for remaining on the list or being allowed to stay on the land. |
| Audit Verification Failure | A systemic failure to provide detailed, auditable beneficiary and payment data for millions of dollars in spending has been flagged. Consequently, the accurate delivery of funds to the intended poor households has been rendered impossible to verify. The lack of this essential data was attributed to the implementing partners, such as the UN agency, who were responsible for its submission. |
Call to Action: Enforce Accountability Against Elites
To achieve meaningful and sustainable progress, it is imperative that the focus on accountability moves beyond minor administrative issues to effectively address the systemic vulnerabilities that enable high-level corruption. This effort requires a unified approach from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), its primary funder the World Bank, and crucial implementing partners such as the World Food Programme (WFP). The success of the safety net rests on the actions taken by these key institutional actors.
- Enforce Mandatory Data Transparency (FGS, World Bank, WFP): The FGS, supported by the World Bank and WFP, must immediately mandate that all partners submit full, auditable beneficiary and payment data—who received what, where, and when. No data, no future funding.
- Target High-Level Diversion (FGS, Judiciary): The Anti-Corruption bodies and the judiciary must be empowered to investigate and visibly prosecute FMS officials, governors, and senior program staff proven to have engaged in elite capture and list manipulation.
- Protect Whistleblowers (All Partners): Create secure, anonymous channels for vulnerable recipients, local staff, and community members to report theft, manipulation, and the “gatekeeper tax” without fear of losing their aid or facing retribution.
Demand transparency. Demand accountability. Share this post if you agree that the lives of our people are worth more than the profits of the corrupt.